Gateways to the Professions
Background
The Government’s Gateways to the Professions initiative was set up to tackle the full range of issues and barriers faced by talented students from low income families seeking to enter the professions through higher education.
It began with the Langlands report in 2005, which examined the potential impact of variable fees on entry to the professions. Sir Alan Langlands’ report and the Government’s response are available to download here:
- Gateways to the Professions Report, July 2005 (PDF 668KB)
- Gateways to the Professions Report - The Government's Response, October 2005 (PDF 112KB)
Development Fund
DfES/DIUS provided funding through the Gateways to the Professions Development fund, which aimed to improve access to graduate jobs in the professions for people from a wider range of backgrounds. Over the two years 2006-2008 we funded 24 projects to the tune of over £4 million. Details of the projects can be found in the following document:
Collaborative Working
Although the Development Fund has now come to an end, this work is being carried forward through a Collaborative Forum, chaired by David Lammy MP – the Minister of State for Higher Education and Intellectual Property. The Forum meets bi-annually to support this work and to draw on the expertise and knowledge of partner organisations. Membership and terms of reference for the Forum can be found in this document:
Mapping study
DIUS commissioned Oakleigh Consulting Ltd to map roles and responsibilities of professional bodies, sector skills councils and higher education institutions. The research has produced examples of good practice where all three types of organisation are working well together. A copy of the report is available below.
Conference report
In February 2008 DIUS hosted an event for 200 delegates to strengthen partnerships between professional bodies, SSC and HEIs. This event was also used to share learning from the Gateways projects that were supported.
